Control



March 11, 1924. 1,486,493

I 1..v c. MILBURN CONTROL Filed Aug. 4, 1923 F I a ENT ATTQNEYS tilltill) I C3. ZZIELTS'UIRN, 01 CLEVEMND, @1510, ASSIGNUR TO THE GLEN ii L.ITAR- .llffil Dil @LEVELAND, UEHU, iZUEIPORAZiEQH 131 110.

Application filed August 1-, 1923.

To of? whom it may; coi cernlf be it known that l, Lnssrrun C. MrLennN,a citizen of the United States, residing at his ileveland 1n the countyof Cuvahoga tate of *llhio, have invented a certain new and usefullmprovement in Controls, of which the following is a full, clear, andexertdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsl'leietotore, so for as 1 am aware, in spite of constant need thereforthere has been produced no satisfactory means for operating the aileronsan airplane by cables lying in propinouity to each other, lily inventionprovides such means for so operating such ailerons. In the drawingsaccompanying this specification and forming a part thereof 1 have shownfor purposes or" illustration, one form which my invention may a$ume Inthese drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates the essential features or an aileron controlconstructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the translating mechanism positioned adjacenteach aileron, while Figure 3 is an end view of the mechanism shown inFigure 2.

The aileron operating means herein shown comprises a pair of translatingmechanisms one positioned adjacent each aileron, an actuating mechanism,and a transmitting mechanism interconnecting the actuating andtranslating mechanisms.

Each of the translating mechanisms herein shown comp ises a pair ofbrackets 11 arranged to rotataloly support a pair of shafts 12 and 13which carry intermeshing gears 14- and 15 adapted to produce in eithershaft upon movement or" the other a corresponding movement in thereverse direction. These shafts 12 and 13 carry levers 16 and 17provided at their extremities with apertures 18 and 19 arranged toreceive suitable cables and, in addition, the shaft 13 carries a lever20 pivoted at its free end to the forward end of a rod 21 which is inturn pivoted at its rear end to a bracket 22 secured to and rising froman aileron 23 which is mounted in any suitable manner as pivotally uponthe rear edge of the adjacent wing.

The actuating mechanism comprises a single lever 24 which is secured toand depends from the tube 27 which may he mounted in the hottom of thecoclcpit and Serial No. stereo.

operated by the usual control sticlr. {not shown) and which carries atits lower end a plate 25 pivoted thereto and provided with apertures 26adapted to receive suitable cables.

The transmission mechanism comprises a pair of cables 28 eachadapted tobe secured at one end within one of the apertures 26 of the plate 25 andat the other end within the aperture 18 of one of the levers 16 tothereby connect the actuating lever 21 with the lever 16, and a secondcable 29 adapted to be secured-at its ends within the apertures 19 ofthe lever 17 and to thus connect the two levers 17. 1

In operation, movement of the actuating lever 24 in either directionwill cause one of the cables 28 to exert a pull upon the lever 16 towhich it is connected to cause a movement of that lever 16 correspondingto the movement of the actuating lever 25% and effective through theintermeshing gears 1 1 and 15 tocause a similar movement in reversedirection of the adjacent lever 17 which thus exerts a pull through thecable 29 upon the other lever 17 to cause a corresponding movement ofthat lever which acts through the gears 14 and 15 by which that lever 17is connected to its adjacent lever'lth to cause a movement of the secondlever 16 corresponding to the movement of the second lever 17 but ina'direction opposite to that of the lever 17 and in the same directionas that of the operating lever 24 to which the second lever 16 isconnected by the second cable 28. This operation thus produces rotationof the two shafts 13 in the same direction and this like rotation of thetwo shafts 13 acts through the oppositely extending levers 20 to causeforward mov ment of one of the rods 21 and rearward movement or" theother rod 21 to thus simultaneously elevate one of the ailerons 23 anddepress the other aileron 23.

It will be a parent from the above description that% have provided meansfor controlling and operating the ailerons of an airplane whichfunctions without the use of pulleys or other similar return devices andin which the actuating cables lie in close propinquity to each other. Itwill also be apparent that this elimination of pulleys or similardevices avoids the rapid wear and danger incident thereto and that thelocation of the operating cables in propinquity Ell Ell

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lllll llllti to each other permits their passage through a singleopening in the body of the airplane and permits the greater and freeruse of the body of the airplane for any desired pur se.

I have esigned the operating means herein shown particularly for use inoperating airplane ailerons but I realize that this means either in itspresent form or in some modified form may be used for other purposes andparticularly for operating other surfaces used for deflecting andcontrolling airplanes or other aircraft. It will therefore be understoodthat my invention is not limited to the specific embodiment hereindisclosed but that this embodiment is illustrative only and that myinvention includes all modifications and uses which lie within thespirit and incorporate'the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother, a first pair of levers, a second pair of levers spacedlongitudinally of said cables from said first pair of levers, one leverof each pair being connectedto one of said cables and the other lever ofeach pair being connected to the other of said cables, each of saidlevers being pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables,separate means each interconnecting the levers of a pair in such mannerthat movement of either of said levers in response to a pull thereon bythe cable connected thereto results in a pull by the other lever of thatpair upon thecable connected thereto, a control stick acting upon one ofsaid cables at an intermediate point thereof, an aileron pivotedadjacent each of said pairs of levers, and means connecting each aileronwith the adjacent pair of levers in'such manner that movement of saidpairs of levers in one direction eflects one movement of said aileronsand movement of said pairs of levers in the reverse direction effectsreverse movement of said ailerons.

2. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother, a pair of levers, a second pair of levers spaced longitudinallyof said cables from said first pair of levers, one lever of each pairbeing connected to one of said cables and the other lever of each pairbeing connected to the other of said cables, each of said levers beingpivoted at a point spaced laterally from vsaid cables, separate meanseach intercom necting the levers of a pair in such manner that movementof either of said levers in response to a pull thereon by the cableconnected thereto results in a pull by the other lever of that pair uponthe cable connected thereto, an operating means acting upon one of saidcables at an intermediate point thereof, an aileron pivoted adjacenteach of said pairs of levers, and means connecting each aileron with theadjacent pair of levers in such manner that movement of said pairs oflevers in one direction eflt'ects one movement of said ailerons andmovement of said pairs of levers in the reverse direction effectsreversemovement of said ailerons, said means comprising a bracketsecured to the aileron, a third lever unitary with one of the levers ofsaid pair of levers, and a rod connecting said bracket to said thirdlever.

3. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother, a pair of levers, a second pair of levers spaced longitudinallyof said cables from said first pair of levers, one lever of each pairbeing connected to one of said cables and the other lever of each pairbeing connected to the other of said cables, each of said levers beinpivoted at a point spacedlaterally from sald cables, separate means eachinterconnecting the levers of a pair in such manner that movement oreither of said levers in response to a pull thereon by the cableconnected thereto results in a pull by the other lever of that pair uponthe cable connected thereto, an operating means acting upon one of saidcables at an intermediate point thereof, an aileron pivoted adjacenteach of said pairs of levers, and means connecting each aileron with theadjacent pair of levers in such. manner that movement of said pairs oflevers in one direction etiects one movement of said ailerons andmovement of said pairs of levers in the reverse direction effectsreverse movement of said ailerons i. In combination, a pair of cablesextend ing in propinquity to each other, a first lever connected to oneof said cables and pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables,a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted ata point spaced laterally from said cables, means interconnecting saidlevers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull bythe other said lever upon the cable connected thereto, an aileron, meansconnecting said aileron to said levers whereby movement of said leversin one direction operates said aileron in one direction and movement ofsaid levers in the reverse direction operates said aileron in theopposite direction, said means comprising a bracket secured to theaileron, a third lever unitary with one of said levers, and a rodconnecting said bracket and said third lever, and control meansconnected to said cables and adapted to exert a pull on either of saidcables and simultaneously ermit retrocession ot the other oi said ca icein a corresponding amount.

5. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother. a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted ata'point spaced laterally from said lid cables, a second lever connectedto the other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterallyfrom said cables, means interconnecting said levers in such manner thatmovement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by thecable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon thecable connected thereto, a pivoted surface adapted to be operated todeflect an airship, means connecting said surface to said levers wherebymovement of said levers in one direction operates said surface in onedirection and movement of said levers in the reverse direction operatessaid surface in the opposite direction, and a control stick connected tosaid cables and adapted to exert a pull on either of said cables andsimultaneously permit retrocession of the other of said cables in acorresponding amount.

6. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at apoint spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to theother of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally fromsaid cables, means interconnecting said levers in such manner thatmovement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by thecable connected thereto, results in pull by the other said lever uponthe cable connected thereto, an aileron, means connecting said aileronto said levers whereby movement of said levers in one direction operatessaid aileron in one direction and movement of said levers in the reversedirection operates said aileron in the opposite direction, and controlmeans connected to said cables and adapted to exert a pull on either ofsaid cables and simultaneously permit retrocession of the other of saidcables in a corresponding amount,

7. in combination, a pair of cables extendmg in propinquity to eachother, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at apoint spaced laterally from said a second lever connected to the otherof said cables and also pivoted at a pointspaced laterally from saidcables, means interconnecting said levers in such manner that movementof either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cableconnected there to results in pull by the other said lever upon thecable connected tl'iereto, a pivoted surface adapted to be operated todeflect the course of an airship, a bracket carried by said surface, athird lever unitary with one of said levers, and a connecting bracketwith said third lever, whereby movement of said levers in one directionoperates surface in one direction movement of said lovers in the reversedi rection operates said surface the opposite direction; and controlmeans connected to said ceblesand adapted exert a pull on cables,

either of said cables and simultaneously permit retrocession of theother of said cables in a corresponding amount.

8. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at apoint spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to theother of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally fromsaid cables, means interconnecting said levers in such manner thatmovement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by thecable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon thecable connected thereto, a pivoted sur- -face adz'ipted to be operatedto deflect the course of an airship, means connecting said surface tosaid levers whereby movement of said levers in one direction operatessaid surface in one direction and movement of said levers in the reversedirection operates said. surface in the opposite direction, andcontrolmeans connected to said cables and adapted to exert a pull oneither of said cables and simultaneously permit retroeession of theother of said cables in a corresponding amount.

9. In combination. a pair of cables es:- tending in propinquity to eachother, a pair of levers, a second pair of levers spaced longitudinallyfrom said first pair of levers, one lever of each pair being connectedto one of said cables and the other lever of each pair beingconnected tothe other of said cables, each of said levers being pivoted at a pointspaced laterally from said cables, the two pivotal axes of the twolevers oi each pair lying in a single plane parallel to saidcables, andseparate sets of gearing each interconnecting the levers of a pair insuch manner that movement of either of said levers in response to a pullthereon by the cable connected thereto results in a pull by the otherlever that pair upon cable connected thereto and each comprising a pairof intermeshing gears one unitary with each such shaft, and an operatingmeans acting upon one of said cables at an intermediate point thereof,

it in combination, a pair cables es:- tending in propinquity to eachother, pair of levers, a second pair of levers spaced longitudinally ofsaid cables from said first pair, one lever of each pair being connected0 one of said cables and the other lever of ach pair being" connected.to the other of said cables, each of said levers being pivotat a pointspaced later-ail" s cable and separate means each interc netting thelevers of a in such n ner that movement of either levers in respon to apull thereoi 3* the cable connected ereto results in pull by the otherlever of that pair upon the cable con nected thereto, and an opera aUAQEHZS their ing upon one of said cables at an intermediate pointthereof.

11. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at apoint spaced laterally-from said cables, a second lever connected to theother of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally fromsaid cables and upon an axis parallel to the pivotal axis of said firstlever, said axes lying in a single plane parallel to said cables, andgearing interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement ofeither of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connectedthereto results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connectedthereto, said gearing comprising a pair of intermeshing gears oneunitary with each of said levers.

12. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at apoint spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to theother of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally fromsaid cables, two intermeshing gears, one unitary with each of saidlevers, and interconnectingsaid levers in such manner that movement ofeither of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connectedthereto results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connectedthereto.

13. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquityto eachother, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at apoint spaced. laterally from said cables, a second lever connected tothe other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterallyfrom said cables, and l gearing interconnecting said levers in suchmanner that movement of either of said levers in response to pullthereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull by the otltersaid lever upon the cable con nected thereto.

14. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at apoint spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to theother of said cables and also pivoted on-an axis parallel to the axis ofsaid first lever at a point spaced laterally from said cables, said axeslying in a single plane parallel to said cables, and meansinterconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either ofsaid levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected theretoresults in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connectedthereto.

15. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to eachother, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at apoint spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to theother of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally fromsaid cables, and means interconnecting said levers in such manner thatmovement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by thecable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon thecable connected thereto.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

LESSITER C. MILBURN.

